Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is market research?
- What is social research?
- Why do we need research?
- When do we need quantitative research?
- When do we need qualitative research?
- What are the geographical scope of the research?
- What are the things to consider when selecting a research agency?
- How can a proposal be rated proportionally?
- How to calculate your research budget?
- What are common errors of research that should be avoided?
Q: What is market research? [top]
A: It is a process of systematically gathering, recording and analyzing data and information about customers, competitors and the market in order to create a business plan, launch a new product or service, fine tune existing products and services, or expand into new markets. Market research can also be used to determine which portion of the population will purchase a product/service, based on variables like age, gender, location and income level.
Q: What is social research? [top]
A: It is a process of systematically gathering, recording and analyzing data and information about social, politics, economic or cultural issues. The target for social research, i,e: general public and stakeholders such as government, NGOs, Traditional and religious Leader, private sector, acadamia, the professionals, the press media.
There are five steps involved in market research process:
The Research Stages:
- Defining the Problem.
- Determine objectives
- Research Design.
- Data Collection.
- Analysis.
- Report Writing & presentation.
Q: Why do we need research? [top]
A: The reasons a research is conducted are:
- To obtain accurate information on social, economic, and political facts, and trends.
- Help develop programs and strategies
- To find out solutions to problems
- To obtain trends or developments in society and the target market
- To find out what is happening in the market, the trends and the competitors
- To understand consumers perception and behavior about our products
- To gather information for establishing strategic plans of the company
Q: When do we need quantitative research? [top]
A: A quantitative research is needed when:
- The research bench marks are clear
- Quantified results needed
- A researcher is seeking extensive or intensive information on a population
- To find out the effects of a treatment to certain variables
- A researcher is exercising a hypothesis
- A researcher is trying to obtain accurate data based on an acceptable empirical phenomenon
- In doubt of the validity of a knowledge, theory, or a certain product
Q: When do we need qualitative research? [top]
A: A qualitative research is needed when:
- The object of a research is not clear, vague. Qualitative method is, then, would be helpful for it goes right to the object
- To read between the lines. Social phenomenon is frequently obscure when interpreted right from speech expressions or acts. It needs a thorough interview, observation, and participation documentation
- To apprehend a social interact. A complex social interact would only be perceivable through qualitative research method that clear interaction patterns are thus insightful.
- Understanding what other feels. We do not know what is on somebody’s mind unless through in-depth interview and comprehensive observations
- To develop a theory. Site data observed can be developed further through qualitative method
- To trace up the history of development, such as of a figure or a leader, or of a society
Q: What are the geographical reaches of the research ? [top]
A: These researches can be reach both urban and rural areas
Q: What are the things to consider when selecting a research agency (How)? [top]
A: The things to consider on a research agency are:
- Possessing professional human resources the field required
- Capable of surveying the targeted object of research
- Independent
- Experienced in noticeable field of research
- Capable of supplying accurate and reliable data
- Knowledge of relevant study
Q: How can a proposal be rated proportionally? [top]
A: There are many criteria to rate whether the proposal is good or bad. Several criteria that can be indicators for research proposal are:
- Demonstrable experience/capabilities in data collection (e.g. Household-based) methodology and questionnaire development (max 15%)
- Demonstrable experience in analysis of group discussions (max 15%)
- Allocation of adequate research staff (max 15%)
- Development of survey sample and description of all steps of field work (max 25%)
- Understanding of the research topics (max 5 point)
- Detailed timetable (max 10 %)
- Financial proposal (max 15%)
Q: How to calculate your research budget? [top]
A: The size of a research budget is entirely dependent on:
- Methodology to use. The more intricate a methodology, the larger the size of a budget. For example: a survey carried out through teleconference among some states would certainly bring effects on costs to expense
- Number of samples to exercise. The greater the number of respondents, the greater the expenses for the reseach
- Area to survey. If an area of survey is extensive, the expenses would follow suit.
Q: What are common errors of research that should be avoided? [top]
A:Design errors:
- Selection of errors: Errors that take place when selecting targets/candidates of respondent
- Population specification errors: Errors made when entering the specifications of objects population of a survey
- Sampling frame error
- Data analyst’s error: Errors made during data analysing